Where Creativity and Innovation Thrives: A Brand New Media Center Coming to Swem Library
During fall 2014, Swem Library’s Media Center will undergo a significant renovation. This renovation will transform roughly 11,000 square feet on the library’s ground floor and provide improvements to an already popular space at William & Mary, allowing the library to explore new modes of instruction and increase its ability to deliver multimedia services to the campus. With these enhancements, Swem will provide an inspired space where creative work and experimentation can flourish.
Changes coming include:
- An open and vibrant lab with enhanced hardware and software for specialized multimedia work as well as collaborative spaces
- Two new classrooms intentionally designed for maximum flexibility and adaptability both in furnishings and new technologies
- A dedicated production room equipped to provide support for increasing demand for professional documentary production and oral histories
- An open and collaborative work space for Swem staff and its campus partners
The renovation will also involve relocating our popular acoustically-isolating production studios to another available space on the ground floor.
The estimated cost for the renovation project is $2 million, and is being funded in part by private donations. Construction will begin in September, and the center is slated to open in early spring 2015.
During the construction, patrons can check out cameras and other equipment at the circulation desk, first floor. The production studios will be closed but the Mac computers and equipment located in the studios have been relocated to the area directly across from the research desk, first floor. Media Center staff members will be at the research desk for assistance and consultations.
In May 2015, the library will celebrate the grand opening of the Media Center with a special event. We welcome students, faculty, W&M staff, alumni and our supporters to join us in celebrating this new, exciting development. More details to come.
Renovation Updates:
January 30, 2015: The renovation of Swem’s Media Center is moving full steam ahead! The media studios have moved to their new home across from the Copy Center. They should be open for business in early March. New colorful carpet has been installed on the ground floor, which includes a wayfaring design to help our visitors navigate the ground floor. The center is slated to have a soft opening in March with a dedication to follow in May. More details to come!
March 14, 2015: The Media Center is open! The construction is complete and the center has opened for use. Classes are already scheduled to be taught in the new classrooms.
March 27, 2015: The media studios are open and can be booked through the library's new reservation system, LibCal. This system makes reserving library rooms and spaces easy! Media collaboration booths and media workstations can also be booked through LibCal.
April 3, 2015: Celebrate National Library Week with us as we free Lord Bot at our Media Center Open House! Lord Botetourt has been boxed up during the Media Center construction, but he's ready to gain his freedom. On Wednesday, April 15 from 12-1:30 p.m. you can watch as we unbox Bot, tour the newly renovated Media Center, enjoy free pizza and meet a real in-the-flesh Lord Botetourt! You'll also have the chance to be a part of a new video about Swem. During the event, we'll be capturing video testimonials about the impact Swem and the Media Center has had on our students, faculty and staff.
June 2015: The Alumni Magazine has featured the new Reeder Media Center in its summer issue!